Apprentice: Summer Work Helps 2-sport Star

During the summer, Andre Ross of the Apprentice School picked up some tips from playing with former Christopher Newport University basketball star Steve Artis.

``I played against him last year, but it was a whole lot different playing with him,'' said Ross, who hopes to land the starting point guard position for the Builders this season.

Ross and his Builders lost to Artis' Captains last year by 80-51 and 91-73 scores.

``I watched him very closely playing with him, and I learned a lot,'' Ross said, a 5-foot-10 and 160-pound junior. ``He really takes control of a game. even a pick-up game. It's amazing the kind of court sense he has.

``He's able to see everything going at full speed, and doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes.''

A year ago for the 3-22 Builders, Ross didn't break into the starting lineup until the third game of the season. Once he did, they couldn't get him out.

``Andre is the type of player that makes things happen on the court,'' said Coach Glenn Russell, in his third year with the Builders. ``We're looking for him to have a good season, and help us lead.

``He was voted as the most valuable player on the team a year ago, and that tell you something about him.''

``I hope I can bring that winning feeling we had in football to the court. Hopefully, it will rub off on everyone. Believe me, it's a great feeling,'' Ross said.

The Builders' football team finished 6-2-1 for the season, winning its last six games. And Ross, a wide receiver, finished with 25 catches for 423 yards and 42 points.

He showed off his quickness on the specialty teams, running back a kickoff return for 73 yards and a punt return for 52 yards and a touchdown.

``We've got a lot of depth this season, and this should help everyone,'' said Ross, who hopes to average in double figures. ``Last year, I didn't look for my shot at first, but this year I will.

``But, I'm not going to be selfish. I'll take my shot when it's there. If not, I'll pass off.''

Ross is one of five juniors returning. The others are forward/center Johnifer Cox, forward Bobby Gibbs, center Andre Harrison, and forward Tony Saunders.

Cox led the team in scoring last year with a 12.2 average and Gibbs averaged 7.5 rebounds.

``From the looks of things, shooting will be our biggest problem,'' said Russell, whose Builders opened the season their season over the weekend at the Tipoff Classic at Hampden-Sydney. ``We need to get the ball to Cox inside to get more scoring from him.''

ANALYSIS: One thing for sure, the Builders will have adequate depth on the bench this season. They boast five returning junior starters (F/C Cox, F Gibbs, G Andre Ross, C Andre Harrison, F Tony Saunders). The point guard position has five challengers for the spot occupied last year by sophomore Cliff Coleman and Ross. The others challenging are McRae, Woodard and Drew Powers.